Activation of multiple xDSL modems with half duplex and full duplex procedures

ABSTRACT

Method for performing a startup session to establish a communication session between a remote communication system and a central communication system. A start-up procedure is initiated by one of the remote communication system and the central communication system. The remote communication system selects one of a full-duplex operating mode and a half-duplex operating mode in response to a request by the central communication system. The remote communication system and the central communication system then exchange data representing a capability of at least one communication standard that is usable by each communication system to select a mutually compatible communication standard, so that the remote communication system can initiate the communication session using the acknowledged full duplex or half duplex operating mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. Patent Application No.09/473,683, tiled on Dec. 29, 1999, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. § 119 (e) of U.S. provisional No. 60/115,294, filed on Jan. 8,1999, the disclosures of both being expressly incorporated by referenceherein the their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a communications device,such as, for example, a modem and a method for enabling datacommunication. and in particular, to an apparatus and method thatdetects various communication configurations and selects an appropriatecommunication configuration to establish a communication link.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Background and other Information

[0005] Traditionally, data communication devices, such as, for example,moderns (both analog and digital), have been employed over publicswitched telephone networks (PSTN) to transmit data between a firstlocation and a second location. Such modems operate within aconventional voice band (e.g., approximately 0 through 4 kHz bandwidth)of the PSTN. Early modems transmitted data over the PSTN at a speed ofapproximately 300 bits per second (bps), or less. Over time, and withthe increased popularity of the Internet, faster communication schemes(e.g., modems) were demanded and developed. Currently, the fastestanalog modem available (referred to as an ITU-T V.34modem, as defined bythe International Telecommunication Union (ITU)). transmits data at arate of approximately 33,600 bps under ideal conditions. These modernscontinue to exchange data within the approximate 4 kHz bandwidth of thePSTN.

[0006] It is not uncommon to transfer data files that are severalmegabytes (MB) in size. A modem that operates utilizing the V.34modulation requires a long time to transfer such a file. As a result, aneed has developed for even faster modems.

[0007] Accordingly, many new communication methods are being proposedand/or developed to transmit data on the local twisted wire pair thatuses the spectrum above the traditional 4 kHz band. For example, various“flavors” (variations) of digital subscriber line (DSL) modems havebeen/are being developed, such as, but not limited to, for example, DSL,ADSL, VDSL, HDSL, SHDSL and SDSL (the collection of which is generallyreferred to as xDSL). Several of the various xDSL schemes permitsimultaneous communication on a single twisted pair in the voice bandand the band above the voice band.

[0008] Each xDSL variation employs a different communication scheme,resulting in different upstream and/or downstream transfer speeds, andutilize differing frequency bands of the twisted pair communicationchannel. A wide range of physical and environmental limitations of thevarious configurations of the twisted pair wires leads to widely varyingexpectations of a feasible communication capability bandwidth. Dependingon, for example, the quality of the twisted wire pair (e.g., CAT3 wirevs. CAT5 wire), a given xDSL scheme may not be able to transmit data atits maximum advertised data transfer rate.

[0009] While xDSL technologies exist and offer the promise of solvingthe high speed data transfer problem, several obstacles exist to therapid deployment and activation of xDSL equipment.

[0010] Many different xDSL and high speed access technologies solutionshave been described in public, proprietary, and/or de facto standards.Equipment at each end of a connection may implement one standard (orseveral standards) that may (or may not) be mutually compatible. Ingeneral, startup and initialization methods of the various standardshave been heretofore incompatible.

[0011] Line environments surrounding the xDSL data communicationschemes, such as, for example, their ability to co-exist with aconventional analog modem that communicates within the conventionalvoice band (e.g., 0-4 kHz bandwidth), differences in central officeequipment, the quality of the line, etc., are numerous, differsignificantly, and are complicated. Accordingly, it is essential to beable to determine the capabilities of the communication channel, inaddition to being able to determine the capabilities of thecommunication equipment, in order to establish an optimum andnon-interfering communication link.

[0012] User applications can have a wide range of data bandwidthrequirements. Although a user could always use the highest capacity xDSLstandard contained in a multiple xDSL box, in general, that will be themost expensive service, since communication costs are generally relatedto the available bandwidth. When a low bandwidth application is used,the user may desire the ability to indicate a preference for a lowbandwidth xDSL (and hence, a less expensive communication service), asopposed to using a high bandwidth xDSL service. As a result, it isdesirable to have a system that automatically indicates user service andapplication requirements to the other end of the link (e.g., centraloffice).

[0013] In addition to the physical composition of the communicationequipment and communication channel, high speed data access complexityis also influenced by regulatory issues. The result has been thatpossible configuration combinations at each end of a communicationchannel have grown exponentially.

[0014] The US Telecommunication Act of 1996 has opened the vastinfrastructure of metallic twisted wire pairs to both competitive (CLEC)usage, and the incumbent telephone provider (ILEC) that originallyinstalled the wires. Thus, multiple providers may have differingresponsibilities and equipment deployed for a single wire pair.

[0015] In a given central office termination, a given communicationchannel (line) may be solely provisioned for voiceband-only, ISDN, orone of the many new xDSL (ADSL, VDSL, HDSL, SHDSL, SDSL, etc.) services.Since the Carterphone court decision, telephone service users(customers) have a wide range of freedom for placing (i.e., installingand utilizing) communication customer premise equipment (e.g.,telephones, answering machines, modems, etc.) on voiceband channels.However, customer premise equipment (CPE) associated with leased datacircuits has typically been furnished-by the service provider. As thehigh speed communication market continues to evolve, customers will alsoexpect and demand freedom in selecting and providing their own CPE forhigh speed circuits using the band above the traditional voice band.This will place increased pressure on the service providers to beprepared for a wide range of equipment to be unexpectedly connected to agiven line.

[0016] The customer premise wiring condition/configuration inside of thecustomer premise (e.g. home, office, etc.) and the range of devicesalready attached to nodes in the wiring are varied and unspecifiable.For a service provider to dispatch a technician and/or craftsman toanalyze the premise wiring and/or make an installation represents alarge cost. Accordingly, an efficient and inexpensive (i.e., non-humanintervention) method is needed to provide for the initialization ofcircuits in the situation where a plethora of communication methods andconfiguration methods exist.

[0017] Still further, switching equipment may exist between thecommunication channel termination and the actual communication device.That switching equipment may function to direct a given line to a giventype of communication device.

[0018] Thus, a high speed data access start-up technique (apparatus andmethod) that solves the various equipment, communication channel, andregulatory environment problems is urgently needed.

[0019] In the past, the ITU-T has published recommended methods forinitiating data communication over voice band channels. Specifically,two Recommendations were produced:

[0020] 1) Recommendation V.8 (September 1994)—“Procedures for StartingSessions of Data Transmission over the General Switched TelephoneNetwork”; and

[0021] 2) Recommendation V.8bis (August 1996)—“Procedures for theIdentification and Selection of Common Modes of Operation Between DataCircuit-terminating Equipments (DCEs) and Between Data TerminalEquipments (DTEs) over the. General Switched Telephone Network”.

[0022] Both Recommendations use a sequence of bits transmitted from eachmodem to identify and negotiate mutually common (shared) operatingmodes, such as the modulation scheme employed. protocol. etc. However,both startup sequence Recommendations are applicable only toconventional voice band communication methods. These conventionalstartup sequences are only designed to work if both ends of thecommunication are full duplex capable (V.8) or half duplex capable(V.8bis). Since xDSL startup mechanisms may be full duplex or halfduplex, alternative procedures are needed to initiate the startupmechanism without knowing whether the devices are full duplex or halfduplex capable. Further, it is desirable to include a backwardcompatibility feature to connect with prior art full duplex systems.

[0023] Definitions

[0024] During the following discussion, the following definitions areemployed:

[0025] activating station (calling station)—the DTE, DCE and otherassociated terminal equipment which originates an activation of an xDSLservice;

[0026] answering station—the DTE, DCE and other associated terminalequipment which answers a call placed on the PSTN (GSTN);

[0027] carrier set—a set of one or more frequencies associated with aPSD mask of a particular xDSL Recommendation;

[0028] CAT3—cabling and cabling components designed and tested totransmit cleanly to 16 MHZ of communications. Used for voice anddata/LAN traffic to 10 megabits per second;

[0029] CAT5—cabling and cabling components designed and tested totransmit cleanly to 100 MHZ of communications;

[0030] communication method—form of communication sometimes referred toas modems, modulations, line codes, etc.;

[0031] downstream—direction of transmission from the xTU-C to the xTU-R;

[0032] Galf—an octet having the value 81₁₆; i.e., the ones complement ofan HDLC flag;

[0033] initiating signal—signal which initiates a startup procedure;

[0034] initiating station—DTE, DCE and other associated terminalequipment which initiates a startup procedure;

[0035] invalid frame—frame that has fewer than four octets betweenflags, excluding transparency octets;

[0036] message—framed information conveyed via modulated transmission;

[0037] metallic local loop—communication channel 5, the metallic wiresthat form the local loop to the customer premise;

[0038] responding signal—signal sent in response to an initiatingsignal;

[0039] responding station—station that responds to initiation of acommunication transaction from the remote station;

[0040] session—active communications connection, measured from beginningto end, between computers or applications over a network;

[0041] signal—information conveyed via tone based transmission;

[0042] signaling family—group of carrier sets which are integralmultiples of a given carrier spacing frequency;

[0043] slitter—combination of a high pass filter and a low pass filterdesigned to split a metallic local loop into two bands of operation;

[0044] telephony mode—operational mode in which voice or other audio(rather than modulated information-bearing messages) is selected as themethod of communication;

[0045] transaction—sequence of messages, ending with either a positiveacknowledgment [ACT(1)], a negative acknowledgment (NA), or a time-out;

[0046] terminal—station; and

[0047] upstream: The direction of transmission from the xTU-R to thexTU-C.

[0048] Abbreviations

[0049] The following abbreviations are used throughout the detaileddiscussion:

[0050] ACK—Acknowledge Message;

[0051] ADSL—Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line;

[0052] CCITT—International Telegraph and Telephone ConsultativeCommittee;

[0053] CDSL—Consumer Digital Subscriber Line;

[0054] DSL—Digital Subscriber Line;

[0055] FSK—Frequency Shift Keying;

[0056] GSTN—General Switched Telephone Network (same as PSTN);

[0057] HDSL—High bit rate Digital Subscriber Line;

[0058] HSTU-C—handshaking portion of the xDSL central terminal unit(xTU-C);

[0059] HSTU-R—handshaking portion of the xDSL remote terminal unit(xTU-R).

[0060] ISO—International Organization for Standardization;

[0061] ITU-T—International Telecommunication Union—TelecommunicationStandardization Sector;

[0062] NAK—Negative Acknowledge Message;

[0063] NTU—Network Termination Unit (Customer premise end);

[0064] POTS—Plain Old Telephone Service

[0065] PSD—Power Spectral Density;

[0066] PSTN—Public Switched Telephone Network;

[0067] RADSL—Rate Adaptive DSL;

[0068] VDSL—Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line;

[0069] xDSL—any of the various types of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL);

[0070] xTU-C—central terminal unit of an xDSL; and

[0071] xTU-R—remote terminal unit of an xDSL.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0072] Based on the foregoing, the overall purpose of the presentinvention is to develop a communication method, modem device and a datacommunication system that detects and notifies the opposite terminal ofwhich type of duplexing (e.g., full duplex or half duplex) is used.

[0073] An object of the present invention is to provide a method forperforming a startup session to establish a communication sessionbetween a first communication system (such as, for example, a centraloffice system) and a second communication system (such as, for example,a remote system). A start-up procedure is initiated by one of the firstcommunication system and the second communication system transmitting asignal from at least one signal family, with the first communicationsystem acknowledging one of a full-duplex operating mode and ahalf-duplex operating mode in response to a request by the secondcommunication system. The first communication system then establishesone of the full duplex operating mode and the half duplex operating modefor further communication that is compatible with a mode requested bythe second communication system.

[0074] Further, a phase of the transmitted signal is reversed atpredetermined time intervals.

[0075] According to a feature of the invention the first communicationsystem and the second communication system each support an xDSLcommunication session for initiating a high speed xDSL communicationsession.

[0076] According -to another feature of the invention, a low-speed(e.g., analog) communication session can be established if a high-speedcommunication can not be established.

[0077] Another object of the instant invention pertains to a method forperforming a startup session to establish one of a full duplexcommunication and a half duplex communication between a firstcommunication system (such as, for example, a central office system) anda second communication system (such as, for example, a remote system). Acommunication session (such as, for example, an xDSL communicationsession) is initiated by one of the first communication system and thesecond communication system in one of a full duplex operating mode and ahalf duplex operating mode. A request is issued for the communicationsession to be established in one of the full duplex operating mode andthe half duplex operating mode, the request being issued by the secondcommunication system. The initialization of the communication session isthen completed by having the first communication system use one of thefull duplex operating mode and the half duplex operating mode thatcomplements a mode requested by the second communication system.

[0078] An advantage of the instant invention is that a low-speedcommunication session may be established if a high-speed communicationcan not be established. The low-speed communication session comprises acommunication session occupying an approximate 4 KHz bandwidth.

[0079] According to a still further object of the invention, a method isdisclosed for performing a startup session to establish a high speedcommunication session. A first communication (such as, for example, aremote) system transmits a predetermined signal to a secondcommunication (such as, for example, a central office) system, in whichthe first communication system and the second communication system bothsupport a half duplex operating mode. The predetermined signal isdetected at the second communication system, and the secondcommunication system responds by transmitting a selected signal. Thetransmission of the predetermined signal is halted for a predeterminedtime period by the first communication system when the selected signalis detected by the first communication system. A second predeterminedsignal, indicating a half duplex operating mode, is transmitted by thefirst communication system upon an expiration of the predetermined timeperiod, and the second communication system stops transmitting upondetection of the second predetermined signal. The half-duplex mode isacknowledged by the second communication system by the turning OFF ofthe selected signal, so that a high speed half-duplex mode communicationsession is established.

[0080] In a feature of this invention, the first communication systemand the second communication system each support a high speed xDSLcommunication session.

[0081] Another feature of the invention resides in the firstcommunication system transmitting the predetermined signal from at leastone predetermined set of signal families.

[0082] According to an advantage of the invention, the firstcommunication system re-transmits the second predetermined signal whenthe half-duplex mode is not acknowledged by the second communicationsystem, so as to re-try establishing the high-speed half-duplex modecommunication session. Further, the first communication system maytransmit a third predetermined signal when the half-duplex mode is notacknowledged by the second communication system, so as to tryestablishing a full-duplex mode communication session.

[0083] According to another advantage of the invention, a low-speedcommunication session is established if a high-speed half-duplex modecommunication session can not be established. Such a communicationsession comprises a communication session occupying an approximate 4 KHzbandwidth.

[0084] Another object of the invention pertains to disclosing a methodfor performing a startup session of a high speed communication session,in which a first communication (such as, for example, a remote) systemtransmits a predetermined signal to a second communication (such as, forexample, a central office) system, with the first communication systemsupporting only a half duplex operating mode while the secondcommunication system supports only a full duplex operating mode. Thepredetermined signal is detected at the second communication system,which responds by transmitting a selected signal. The transmission ofthe predetermined signal is halted for a predetermined time period whenthe selected signal is detected by the first communication system. Asecond predetermined signal, indicating a half duplex operating mode, isthen transmitted by the first communication system upon an expiration ofthe predetermined time period. The first communication system detectsthat the second communication system continues to transmit the selectedsignal during the time when the second predetermined signal should havebeen detected, and thus, concludes that a high speed half duplexoperating mode can not be established.

[0085] The first communication system and the second communicationsystem may each support an xDSL (e.g., high speed xDSL) communicationsession.

[0086] According to an advantage of the invention, a low-speedcommunication session (occupying an approximate 4 KHz bandwidth) can beestablished if the high-speed half duplex operating mode can not beestablished.

[0087] A still further advantage of the invention is that a terminationsignal can be transmitted by the first communication system to terminatethe startup session when the high speed half duplex operating mode cannot be established.

[0088] In another object of the invention, a startup session of a highspeed communication is performed by having a first communication systemtransmit a first predetermined signal to a second communication system,in which the first communication supports only a full duplex operatingmode while the second communication system supports only a half duplexoperating mode. The predetermined signal is detected at the secondcommunication system, which responds by transmitting a selected signal.When the selected signal is detected by the first communication systemthe transmission of the predetermined signal is halted for apredetermined time. A second predetermined signal, indicating a fullduplex operating mode, is then transmitted by the first communicationsystem upon an expiration of the predetermined time period. If the firstcommunication system determines that the second communication system hasstopped transmitting the selected signal after the second predeterminedsignal is transmitted, the first communication system concludes that ahigh speed full duplex operating mode can not be established between thefirst communication system and the second communication system.

[0089] According to a feature of this invention, the first communicationsystem and the second communication system may each support an xDSL(e.g., high speed xDSL) communication session.

[0090] Another feature of the invention resides in the inventionestablishing a low-speed (e.g., analog) communication session if thehigh speed full duplex operating mode can not be established. Thelow-speed communication session preferably occupies an approximate 4 KHzbandwidth.

[0091] A still further feature of the invention is that a terminationsignal is transmitted (by, for example, the first communication system)to complete the startup session when the high speed full duplexoperating mode can not be established.

[0092] In another object of the invention, a method is disclosed forperforming a startup session of a high speed communication, by having acentral system transmit a predetermined signal to a first communicationoffice system, the first communication system and the secondcommunication system both supporting a half duplex operating mode;detecting the predetermined signal at the first communication system,the first communication system responding to the second communicationsystem by transmitting a selected signal, indicating a half duplex mode,to the second communication system; halting, for a predetermined timeperiod, the transmission of the predetermined signal when the selectedsignal is detected by the second communication system, a secondpredetermined signal, indicating a half duplex operating mode, beingtransmitted by the first communication system to the secondcommunication system; and acknowledging the half-duplex mode by thesecond communication system, so that a high speed half-duplex modecommunication session is established.

[0093] Another object of the invention pertains to a method forperforming a startup session of a high speed communication, by having acentral system transmit a predetermined signal to a first communicationsystem, the first communication system supporting only a half duplexoperating mode while the second communication system supports only afull duplex operating mode; detecting the predetermined signal at thefirst communication system, the first communication system responding tothe second communication system by transmitting a selected signalindicating a half duplex operating mode; and detecting, by the firstcommunication office system, that the second communication systemcontinues to transmit the predetermined signal after the selected signalis transmitted, the first communication system concluding that a highspeed half duplex operating mode can not be established between thefirst communication system and the second communication system.

[0094] According to a feature of the invention, the first communicationsystem and the second communication system each support a high speedxDSL communication session. Furthermore, a low-speed communicationsession may be established if the high speed half duplex operating modecan not be established.

[0095] A still further feature of the invention is that the firstcommunication system transmits a termination signal to complete thestartup session when the high speed half duplex operating mode can notbe established.

[0096] In another object of the invention, a startup session of a highspeed communication is performed by having a central system transmit apredetermined signal to a first communication system, the firstcommunication system supporting only a full duplex operating mode whilethe second communication system supports only a half duplex operatingmode; detecting the predetermined signal at the first communicationsystem, the first communication system responding to the secondcommunication system by transmitting a selected signal, indicating afull duplex mode, to the second communication system; halting thetransmission of the predetermined signal when the second communicationsystem detects the selected signal transmitted by the firstcommunication system; and determining, by the first communicationsystem, that the second communication system stopped transmitting thepredetermined signal after the selected predetermined signal wastransmitted, the first communication system concluding that a high speedfull duplex operating mode can not be established between the firstcommunication system and the second communication system.

[0097] It is noted that the first communication system and the secondcommunication system may each support a high speed (e.g., xDSL)communication session. Additionally, a low-speed communication sessionmay be established if the high speed full duplex operating mode can notbe established. Before establishing the low-speed communication session,the first communication system transmits a termination signal tocomplete the startup session.

[0098] The present disclosure refers to the following documents, thesubject matter of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties:

[0099] Recommendation V.8 (September 1994), entitled “Procedures ForStarting Sessions Of Data Transmission Over The General SwitchedTelephone Network”, published by Telecommunication StandardizationSector of the ITU;

[0100] Recommendation V.8 bis (August 1996), entitled “Procedures ForThe Identification And Selection Of Common Modes Of Operation BetweenData Circuit-Terminating Equipments (DCEs) and Between Data TerminalEquipments (DTEs) Over The General Switched Telephone Network”,published by Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the ITU;

[0101] Recommendation T.35, entitled “Procedure For The Allocation OfCCITT Defined Codes For Non-standard Facilities”, published byTelecommunication Standardization Sector of the ITU; and

[0102] Recommendation V.34 (October 1996), entitled “A Modem OperatingAt Data Signaling Rates Of Up To 33,600 bit/s For Use On The GeneralSwitched Telephone Network And On Leased Point-To-Point 2-WireTelephone-Type Circuits”, published by Telecommunication StandardizationSector of the ITU.

[0103] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained inU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/115,294, filed on Jan. 8, 1999, thesubject matter of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which are presented as a non-limiting example, in whichreference characters refer to the same parts throughout the variousviews, and wherein:

[0105]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a data communication systemusing a modem device according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0106]FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of a datacommunication system of FIG. 1;

[0107]FIG. 3 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-R, with both thexTU-R and the xTU-C supporting the full duplex mode;

[0108]FIG. 4 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-C, with both thexTU-R and the xTU-C supporting the full duplex mode;

[0109]FIG. 5 illustrates a timing sequence for deactivating a session byeither the xTU-R or the xTU-C, using full duplex procedures;

[0110]FIG. 6 illustrates the timing sequence for deactivating a sessionby either the xTU-R or the xTU-C, using half duplex procedures;

[0111]FIG. 7 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-R, with both thexTU-R and the xTU-C supporting the half duplex mode;

[0112]FIG. 8 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-R, with thexTU-R supporting the half duplex mode and the xTU-C supporting the fullduplex mode;

[0113]FIG. 9 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-R, with thexTU-R supporting the full duplex mode and the xTU-C supporting the halfduplex mode;

[0114]FIG. 10 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-C, with boththe xTU-R and the xTU-C supporting the half duplex mode;

[0115]FIG. 11 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-C, with thexTU-R supporting the half duplex mode and the xTU-C supporting the fullduplex mode; and

[0116]FIG. 12 illustrates a startup initiated by the xTU-C, with thexTU-R supporting the full duplex mode and the xTU-C supporting the halfduplex mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0117] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and forpurposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the presentinvention only and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In thisregard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the presentinvention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamentalunderstanding of the present invention, the description taken with thedrawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the presentinvention may be embodied in practice.

[0118] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a datacommunication system comprises a central office system 2 and a remotesystem 4, which are interfaced together via a communication channel 5,as shown in FIG. 1.

[0119] The central office system 2 includes a main distribution frame(MDF) 1 that functions to interface the central office system 2 to thecommunication channel 5. The main distribution frame (MDF) 1 operates toconnect, for example, telephone lines (e.g., communication channel 5)coming from the outside, on one side, and internal lines (e.g., internalcentral office lines) on the other side.

[0120] The remote system 4 includes a network interface device (NID) 3that functions to interface the remote system 4 to the communicationchannel 5. The network interface device (NID) 3 interfaces thecustomer's equipment to the communications network (e.g., communicationchannel 5).

[0121] It is understood that the present invention may be applied toother communications devices without departing from the spirit and/orscope of the invention. Further, while the present invention isdescribed with reference to a telephone communication system employingtwisted pair wires, it is understood that the invention is applicable toother transmission environments, such as, but not limited to, cablecommunication systems (e.g., cable modems), optical communicationsystems, wireless systems, infrared communication systems, etc., withoutdeparting from the spirit and/or scope of the invention.

[0122] Basic Hardware Description

[0123]FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed block diagram of the firstembodiment of the data communication system of FIG. 1. This embodimentrepresents a typical installation, in which both the central officesystem 2 and the remote system 4 implement the instant invention.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 2, the central office system 2 comprises a lowpass filter 34 and a high pass filter 38, a test negotiation block 46, ahigh speed data receiving section 68, a high speed data transmittingsection 70, and a computer 82. Computer 82 is understood to be a genericinterface to network equipment located at the central office. Testnegotiation block 46 performs all of the negotiation and examinationprocedures which takes place prior to the initiation of an actual highspeed data communication.

[0125] The low pass filter 34 and high pass filter 38 function to filtercommunication signals transferred over the communication channel 5. Thetest negotiation block 46 tests and negotiates conditions, capacities,etc. of the central office system 2, the remote system 4, and thecommunication channel 5. The procedures of the test negotiation block 46are completed prior to, and initiate the selection of the high speedmodem receiving and transmitting sections (e.g., modems) 68 and 70. Thehigh speed receiving section 68 functions to receive high speed datatransmitted from the remote system 4, while the high speed datatransmitting section 70 transmits high speed data to the remote system4. The high speed sections 68 and 70 may comprise, but not be limitedto, for example, ADSL, HDSL, SHDSL, VDSL, CDSL modems. High speedsections 68 and 70 can be a plurality of high speed transmission deviceswhich “share” the common block 46 during the initial negotiationprocedure. The negotiation data receiving section 52 and the high speeddata receiving section 68 transmit signals to computer 82. Thenegotiation data transmitting section 54 and the high speed datatransmitting section 70 receive signals issued from the computer 82.

[0126] In the disclosed embodiment, test negotiation block 46 comprisesa negotiation data receiving section 52 and a negotiation datatransmitting section 54. The negotiation data receiving section 52receives negotiation data, while the negotiation data transmittingsection 54 transmits negotiation data. The operation of the varioussections of the central office system 2 will be described, in detail,below.

[0127] Remote system 4 comprises a low pass filter 36, a high passfilter 40, a test negotiation block 48, a high speed data receivingsection 72, a high speed data transmitting section 66, and a computer84. Computer 84 is understood to be a generic interface to networkequipment located at the remote system. Test negotiation block 48performs all of the negotiation and examination procedures that takeplace prior to the actual high speed data communication.

[0128] The low pass filter 36 and high pass filter 40 operate to filtercommunication signals transferred over the communication channel 5. Thetest negotiation block 48 tests and negotiates conditions, capacities,etc. of the central office system 2, the remote system 4, and thecommunication channel 5. The high speed receiving section 72 functionsto receive high speed data transmitted from the central office system 2,while the high speed data transmitting section 66 transmits high speeddata to the central office system 2. The negotiation data receivingsection 56 and the high speed data receiving section 72 transmit signalsto the computer 84. The negotiation data transmitting section 50 and thehigh speed data transmitting section 66 receive signals issued from thecomputer 84.

[0129] In the disclosed embodiment, the test negotiation block 48comprises a negotiation data receiving section 56 and a negotiation datatransmitting section 50. The negotiation data receiving section 56receives negotiation data, while the negotiation data transmittingsection 50 transmits negotiation data. The operation of the varioussections of the remote system 4 will be described, in detail, below.

[0130] The negotiation data transmitting section 50 of the remote system4 transmits the upstream negotiation data to the negotiation datareceiving section 52 of the central system 2. The negotiating datatransmitting section 54 of the central system 2 transmits the downstreamnegotiating data to the negotiation data receiving section 56 of theremote system 4.

[0131] The central office system 2 includes a plurality of channels 6,10, 14, 16 and 18 that are used to communicate with a plurality ofchannels 22, 26, 28, 30 and 32 of the remote system 4. In this regard,it is noted that in the disclosed embodiment, channel 6 comprises acentral voice channel that is used to directly communicate with acorresponding remote voice channel 32 in a conventional voice band(e.g., 0 Hz to approximately 4 kHz), which has been filtered by low passfilters 34 and 36. Further, a remote voice channel 33 is provided in theremote system 4 that is not under the control of the central officesystem 2. Remote voice channel 33 is connected in parallel with thecommunication channel 5 (but prior to the low pass filter 36), and thus,provides the same service as the remote voice channel 32. However, sincethis channel is connected prior to the low pass filter 36, the remotevoice channel 33 contains both the high speed data signal and a voicesignal.

[0132] It is noted that the filters may be arranged to have differentfrequency characteristics, so that a communication may take place usingother, low band communication methods, such as, for example, ISDN,between voice channels 6 and 32. The high pass filters 38 and 40 areselected to ensure a frequency spectrum above 4 kHz. It is noted thatsome systems do not require, nor implement, some (or all) of the filters34, 36, 38, and 40.

[0133] Bit streams 10, 14, 16 and 18 (in the central office system 2)and bit streams 22, 26, 28 and 30 (in the remote system 4) comprisedigital bit streams that are used to communicate between the centralcomputer 82 and the remote computer 84, respectively. It is understoodthat it is within the scope of the present invention that bit streams10, 14, 16, and 18 could be implemented as discrete signals (as shown),or bundled into an interface, or cable, or multiplexed into a singlestream, without changing the scope and/or function of the instantinvention. For example, bit streams 10, 14, 16 and 18 may be configuredas (but are not limited to) an interface conforming to a RS-232,parallel, FireWire (IEEE-1394), Universal Serial Bus (USB), wireless, orinfrared (IrDA) standard. Likewise, it is understood that bit streams22, 26, 28 and 30 can be implemented as discrete signals (as shown inthe drawings), or bundled into an interface, or cable, or multiplexedinto a single stream, as described above.

[0134] Negotiation data (e.g., control information) corresponding to thecondition of the communication line (e.g., frequency characteristics,noise characteristics, presence or absence of a splitter, etc.),capabilities of the equipment, and user and application servicerequirements is exchanged between the negotiation data receiving section52 and negotiation data transmitting section 54 of the central officesystem 2, and the negotiation data receiving section 56 and negotiationdata transmitting section 50 of the remote system 4.

[0135] The essential features of the hardware portion of the inventionis the functionality contained in the test negotiation blocks 46 and 48,which test and negotiate the conditions, capabilities, etc. of thecentral office system 2, the remote system 4, and the communicationchannel 5. In practice, the configuration of the central office system 2and the remote system 4 is subject to wide variations. For example, theconfiguration of the external voice channel 33 is not under the controlof the same entities that control the central office system 2. Likewise,the capabilities and configuration of the communication channel 5 arealso subject to wide variation. In the disclosed embodiment, testnegotiation blocks 46 and 48 are embedded within modems 42 and 44.However, the functionality of test negotiation blocks 46 and 48 may,alternatively, be implemented separate and distinct from the modems 42and 44. Signals transmitted and received between the test negotiationblocks 46 and 48 are used for testing the environment itself as well ascommunicating the results of the tests between the central office system2 and the remote system 4.

[0136] The purpose of each signal path in FIG. 2 will be explainedfollowed by.an explanation of the devices used to create the signals.Examples of specific values for the various frequencies will bediscussed in detail, below.

[0137] In the disclosed embodiment, frequency division multiplexing(FDM) is utilized for various communication paths to exchangeinformation between the central office system 2 and the remote system 4.However, it is understood that other techniques (such as, but notlimited to, for example, CDMA, TDMA, spread spectrum, etc.) may be usedwithout departing from the spirit and/or scope of the present invention.

[0138] The range from frequency 0 Hz until frequency 4 kHz is typicallyreferred to as the PSTN voice band. Some of the newer communicationmethods typically attempt to use the frequency spectrum above 4 kHz fordata communication. Typically, the first frequency where transmissionpower is allowed occurs at approximately 25 kHz. However, any frequencymay be used. In this regard, it is noted that tone bursts at a frequencyof 34.5 kHz are used to initiate T1E1 T1.413 ADSL modems. As a result,if possible, that frequency should be avoided in the spectrum used byprecursor negotiation methods.

[0139] The communication paths are defined in pairs, one path for anupstream communication from the remote system 4 to the central officesystem 2, and another path for a downstream communication from thecentral office system 2 to the remote system 4. The negotiation upstreambits are transmitted by the negotiation data transmitting section 50 ofthe remote system 4, and received by the negotiation data receivingsection 52 of the central office system 2. The negotiation downstreambits are transmitted by the negotiation data transmitting section 54 ofthe central office system 2, and received by the negotiation datareceiving section 56 of the remote system 4. Once the negotiation andhigh speed training has been completed, the central office system 2 andthe remote system 4 use high speed data transmitting sections 66 and 70,and high speed data receiving sections 72 and 68 to perform a duplexcommunication.

[0140] All messages in the present invention are sent with one or morecarriers using, for example, a Differential (Binary) Phase Shift Keying(DPSK) modulation. The transmit point is rotated 180 degrees from theprevious point if the transmit bit is a 1, and the transmit point isrotated 0 degrees from the previous point if the transmit bit is a 0.Each message is preceded by a point at an arbitrary carrier phase. Thefrequencies of the carriers, and the procedures for starting themodulation of carriers and messages, will be described below.

[0141] The present invention goes to great lengths, both before thehandshake procedure is performed and during, the handshake procedure, tobe spectrally polite or as non-obtrusive as possible. Carriers aretypically selected so as to be different for the upstream and downstreampaths, avoid existing system activation tones, be reasonably robustagainst inter-modulation products, have sufficient spacing, etc. Somesuitable sets of carrier tones using 4.3125 kHz and 4.0 kHz basefrequencies, are shown below: Upstream Downstream Signal FrequencyIndices Frequency Indices Designation (N) (N) A43 9 17 25 40 56 64 B4337 45 53 72 88 96 C43 7 9 12 14 64 A4 3 5 B4 4 28 34 66 67 76

[0142] After the remote system 4 analyzes the equipment capabilities,the application desires, and the channel limitations, it makes a finaldecision on the communication method to use.

[0143] After the central office system 2 has received the finaldecision, the transmission of the negotiation downstream data isstopped. When the remote system 4 detects the loss of energy (carrier)from the central office system 2, the remote system 4 stops transmittingthe negotiation upstream data. After a short delay, the negotiatedcommunication method begins it's initialization procedures.

[0144] Startup Protocol

[0145] Either the central office (xTU-C) system 2 or the remote (xTU-R)system 4 may initiate modulation channels. Once the negotiationmodulation channels have been established, the remote station is alwaysconsidered the initiating modem (in terms of the transaction messages),and the central office terminal is considered the responding station.

[0146] In the following description, characteristics of the transmittedsignals are distinguished and identified by the way the signals arenamed. Various prefixes and suffixes are added to distinguish between alocation on a time sequence and which unit is sending the signal.

[0147] TONE (singular)—unmodulated carriers from one carrier family.

[0148] TONES (plural)—unmodulated carriers from one or more carrierfamilies.

[0149] TONES-REQ (plural)—unmodulated carriers with periodic phasereversals from one or more carrier families.

[0150] FLAGS—hex character “7E” sent with modulated carriers

[0151] GALF—hex character “81” sent with modulated carriers. (inverse of“7E”).

[0152] Further, FIGS. 3-12 show two time periods; τ₁ and τ₂. In thedisclosed invention, τ₁ is less than approximately 500 ms, and may be,for example, approximately 100 ms. Similarly, in the disclosedinvention, τ₂ is greater than approximately 50 ms but less thanapproximately 500 ms. However, it is understood that different timeperiods can be employed for τ₁ and τ₂ without departing from the spiritand/or scope of the invention.

[0153] xTU-R Initiates Startup—xTU-R And xTU-C Both Support Full DuplexMode

[0154] In the prior art, both the central office and the remote systemcommunicate with each other in a full duplex mode. FIG. 3 illustrates atiming sequence for an example in which the xTU-R initiates a startupprocedure, in which both devices operating in a full duplex mode. Asshown in FIG. 3, the xTU-R initiates the startup procedure bytransmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(R-TONES-REQ), with a phase reversal occurring approximately every 16ms. When the R-TONES-REQ signal is detected by the xTU-C, the xTU-Cresponds by transmitting signals from one (or both) of its signalfamilies (C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R,the xTU-R stops transmitting (e.g., transmits silence) for apredetermined time period τ₂, such as, for example, betweenapproximately 50 ms to approximately 500 ms, and then transmits signalsfrom only one signal family (R-TONE1). When the xTU-C detects theR-TONE1 signal, it responds by transmitting C-GALF1 (hex character “81”)on the modulated carriers. The xTU-R receives the C-GALF1 characters,and responds by transmitting R-FLAG1 flags (hex character “7E”) onmodulated carriers. After R-FLAG1 flags are received by the xTU-C, thexTU-C responds by transmitting C-FLAG1 Flags. When the xTU-R hasreceived the C-FLAG1 Flags transmitted from the xTU-C, the xTU-R canbegin a first transaction.

[0155] xTU-C Initiates Startup—xTU-R And xTU-C Both Support Full DuplexMode

[0156]FIG. 4 illustrates a timing sequence for a prior art example inwhich the xTU-C and the xTU-R communicate with each other in the fullduplex mode, and the xTU-C initiates the startup procedure. In thisexample, the xTU-C starts by transmitting signals from one (or both) ofits signal families (C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected bythe xTU-R, the xTU-R responds by transmitting signals from only onesignal family (R-TONE1). When the xTU-C detects the R-TONE1 signal, thexTU-C responds by transmitting C-GALF1 GALFs (hex character 81) on themodulated carriers. When the C-GALF1 GALFs characters are received bythe xTU-R, the xTU-R responds by transmitting R-FLAG1 Flags (hexcharacter 7E) on the modulated carriers. Once the R-FLAG1 Flags arereceived by the xTU-C, the xTU-C responds by transmitting C-FLAG1 Flags.The xTU-R receives the C-FLAG1 Flags, and can begin the firsttransaction.

[0157] Prior art systems have been unable to establish a communicationsession when the operating mode of the central office system and theremote system differ. The present invention discloses a scheme foraddressing this problem. The specific procedure depends on which device(e.g., the xTU-C or the xTU-R) initiates the activation sequence, andthe full duplex/half duplex capabilities of each device. Theinitialization signals and process of the instant invention is fullybackward compatible with the existing prior-art equipment, and will bedescribed below. This backward compatibility between the equipment ofthe present invention and the prior art handshake equipment (that onlysupport the full duplex mode), is an important feature of the instantinvention.

[0158] The various initiation startup sessions addressed by the currentinvention, to be described below, include:

[0159] (a) Startup initiated by xTU-R, where both the xTU-R and thexTU-C support the half duplex mode, as illustrated in FIG. 7;

[0160] (b) Startup initiated by xTU-R, where the xTU-R only supports thehalf duplex mode and the xTU-C supports only the full duplex mode, asillustrated in FIG. 8;

[0161] (c) Startup initiated by xTU-R, where the xTU-R only supports thefull duplex mode and the xTU-C only supports the half duplex mode, asillustrated in FIG. 9;

[0162] (d) Startup initiated by xTU-C, where both the xTU-R and thexTU-C support the half duplex mode, as illustrated in FIG. 10;

[0163] (e) Startup initiated by xTU-C, where the xTU-R only supports thehalf duplex mode and the xTU-C only supports the full duplex mode, asillustrated in FIG. 11; and

[0164] (f) Startup initiated by xTU-C, where the xTU-R only supports thefull duplex mode and the xTU-C only supports the half duplex mode, asillustrated in FIG. 12.

[0165] An xTU-R indicates it desires to conduct a transaction in fullduplex mode by responding to C-TONES with R-TONE1 instead of R-FLAG1. AnxTU-R indicates it desires to conduct a transaction in half duplex modeby responding to C-TONES with R-FLAG1 instead of R-TONE1.

[0166] xTU-R Initiates Startup—xTU-R And xTU-C Both Support Half DuplexMode

[0167]FIG. 7 illustrates the situation in which the xTU-R initiates thestartup sequence, and both the xTU-R and the xTU-C support the halfduplex mode. The xTU-R begins transmitting signals from one (or both) ofits signal families (R-TONES-REQ), with phase reversals occurring atpredetermined time intervals, such as, for example, approximately every16 ms. When the R-TONES-REQ signal is detected by the xTU-C, the xTU-Cresponds by transmitting signals from one (or both) of its signalfamilies (C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R,the xTU-R stops transmitting (e.g., transmits silence) for apredetermined period of time τ₂, such as, for example, approximately 50ms to approximately 500 ms. Then, the xTU-R transmits signals from onesignal family (R-FLAG1) for a selected period of time τ₁, such as, forexample, at least 100 ms, until the xTU-C turns off the C-TONES signal.After the last R-FLAG1 flag is transmitted, the xTU-R continues sendingthe message, followed by at least two flags (R-FLAG-HD2). When the xTU-Cdetects R-FLAG-HD2, it responds by transmitting flags (C-FLAG-HD) for acertain time period, such as, for example, approximately 100 ms. Afterthe last flag has been transmitted, the xTU-C continues sending themessage, followed by at least two flags (C-FLAG-HD2). If the xTU-Cmessage was an ACK, the xTU-R begins the selected mode initializationsequence. On the other hand, if the ATU-C message was not an ACK, thexTU-R resumes transmitting R-FLAG1 (above), and continues as describedabove. Likewise, the xTU-C prepares to receive R-FLAG1, and continues asdescribed above.

[0168] xTU-R Initiates Startup—xTU-R Only Supports Half Duplex Mode andxTU-C Only Supports Full Duplex Mode

[0169]FIG. 8 illustrates the situation in which the xTU-R initiates thestartup sequence, with the xTU-R supporting only the half duplex modeand the xTU-C supporting only the full duplex mode. The xTU-R beginstransmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(R-TONES-REQ), with phase reversals occurring every predetermined timeinterval, such as, for example, approximately every 16 ms. When theR-TONES-REQ signal is detected by the xTU-C, the xTU-C responds bytransmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R, the xTU-Rstops transmitting (e.g., transmits silence) for a predetermined periodof time τ₂, such as, for example, approximately 50 ms to approximately500 ms. Then, the xTU-R transmits signals from a signal family (R-FLAG1)for a selected period of time τ₁, such as, for example, at least 100 ms.

[0170] Since the xTU-C operates only in the full duplex mode, the xTU-Cdoes not transmit a C-GALF signal, nor does it turn off the C-TONESsignal it has been transmitting. Instead, the xTU-C continues totransmit the C-TONES signal. Because the xTU-R does not see the end ofthe C-TONES signal, the xTU-R concludes that the xTU-C cannot supportthe half duplex mode. Accordingly, the xTU-R transmits at least 2 octetsof the R-GALF Galfs signal to terminate the session, and then stopstransmitting. Since the xTU-C sees the R-GALF Galfs signal, the xTU-Cstops transmitting the C-TONES signal, and the startup session is over.

[0171] xTU-R Initiates Startup—xTU-R Only Supports Full Duplex Mode AndxTU-C Only Supports Half Duplex Mode

[0172]FIG. 9 illustrates the situation in which the startup session isinitiated by the xTU-R, in which the xTU-R supports only a full duplexmode and the xTU-C supports only a half duplex mode. The xTU-R beginsthe session by transmitting signals from one (or both) of its signalfamilies (R-TONES-REQ), with phase reversals occurring everypredetermined time interval, such as, for example, approximately every16 ms: When the R-TONES-REQ signal is detected by the xTU-C, the xTU-Cresponds by transmitting signals from one (or both) of its signalfamilies (C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R,the xTU-R stops transmitting (e.g., transmits silence) for apredetermined period of time τ₂, such as, for example, approximately 50ms to approximately 500 ms. After the predetermined period of timeelapses, the xTU-R transmits signals from a signal family (R-TONE1) fora selected period of time τ₁, such as, for example, at least 100 ms.

[0173] Since the xTU-C operates only in the half duplex mode, the xTU-Cturns off the C-TONES signal it has been transmitting. Since the xTU-Rdoes not see a C-GALF signal within a suitable time period, but candetect a transmission energy drop (e.g., that the transmission of datahas stopped), the xTU-R concludes that the xTU-C cannot support the fullduplex mode. Accordingly, the xTU-R transmits at least 2 octets of theR-GALF signal, and stops transmitting. At this point, the startupsession is completed.

[0174] xTU-C Initiates Startup—xTU-R And xTU-C Only Support Half DuplexMode

[0175]FIG. 10 illustrates the situation where the startup is initiatedby xTU-C, with the xTU-R only supporting the half duplex mode and thexTU-C only supporting the half duplex mode. The xTU-C beingstransmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R for apredetermined period of time τ₂, such as, for example, approximately 50ms to approximately 500 ms, the xTU-R transmits signals from one signalfamily (R-FLAG1) for a selected period of time τ₁, such as, for example,at least approximately 100 ms, until the xTU-C turns off the C-TONESsignal. After the last flag has been transmitted, the xTU-R continuessending the message, followed by at least two flags (R-FLAG-HD2). Whenthe xTU-C detects the R-FLAG-HD2 signal, the xTU-C begins transmittingflags (C-FLAG-HD) for a period of, for example, approximately 100 ms.After the last flag is transmitted,.the xTU-C continues sending themessage, followed by at least two flags (C-FLAG-HD 2).

[0176] If the xTU-C message was an ACK, the xTU-R begins the selectedmode initialization sequence. On the other hand if the xTU-C message wasnot an ACK, the xTU-R continues to transmit the R-FLAG1 (describedabove), and continues as described above. In a similar fashion, thexTU-C prepares to receive the R-FLAG1 signal, and continues as above.The xTU-R terminates the session with the ACK signal.

[0177] xTU-C Initiates Startup—xTU-R Only Supports Half Duplex Mode andxTU-C Only Supports Full Duplex Mode

[0178]FIG. 11 illustrates the situation where the startup is initiatedby xTU-C, with the xTU-R only supporting the half duplex mode and thexTU-C only supporting the full duplex mode. The xTU-C beginstransmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(C-Tones). When the C-Tones signal is detected by the xTU-R for apredetermined period of time τ₂, such as, for example, fromapproximately 50 to approximately 500 ms, the xTU-R transmits flagsignals from a signal family (R-FLAG1) for a selected period of time τ₁,such as, for example, at least 100 ms. Since the xTU-C only supports thefull duplex mode, the xTU-C does not transmit a C-GALF signal, nor doesthe xTU-C turn off the C-TONES signal. Instead, the xTU-C continuestransmitting the C-TONES signal. As a result, the xTU-R does not detect(see) the end of the C-TONES signal, and concludes that the xTU-C cannotsupport the half duplex mode. Accordingly, the xTU-R transmits at least2 octets of R-GALF, and then stops transmitting. The xTU-C detects theR-GALF, stops transmitting the C-TONES signal, and the session iscompleted.

[0179] xTU-C Initiates Startup—xTU-R Only Supports Full Duplex ModeWhile xTU-C Only Supports Half Duplex Mode

[0180]FIG. 12 illustrates the situation when the startup sequence isinitiated by the xTU-C, with the xTU-R only supporting the full duplexmode and the xTU-C only supporting the half duplex mode. The xTU-Cbegins transmitting signals from one (or both) of its signal families(C-TONES). When the C-TONES signal is detected by the xTU-R for apredetermined period of time τ₂, such as, for example, approximately 50ms to approximately 500 ms, the xTU-R responds by transmitting signalsfrom a signal family (R-TONE1) for a selected period of time τ₁, suchas, for example, at least approximately 100 ms. Since the xTU-C onlysupports the half duplex mode, it stops transmitting (turns off) theC-TONES signal. The xTU-R does not detect C-GALF prior to the occurrenceof a suitable timeout, but does detect the energy drop (e.g.,non-transmission of the C-TONES signal). Accordingly, the xTU-Rconcludes that the xTU-C cannot support the full duplex mode, andtransmits 2 octets of R-GALF, after which the xTU-R ceases itstransmission, completing the startup session.

[0181] In each of the above descriptions, the startup session iseventually terminated. FIG. 5 displays the timing for deactivating asession by either the xTU-R or the xTU-C using full duplex procedures.When the xTU-R (or the xTU-C) has completed sending an MS (mode select)message, it begins to transmit the Flag (hex “7E”) characters. When thexTU-C (or the xTU-R) receives the MS message, the xTU-C (or the xTU-R)stops sending the Flag characters and sends an ACK(1) message. When thexTU-R (or the xTU-C) receives the ACK(1) message, the xTU-R (or thexTU-C) sends a single GALF octet (hex “81”), stops transmitting data(e.g., transmits silence) and exits to the selected operating mode. Whenthe xTU-C (or the xTU-R) receives either the GALF character or detectsthe period of silence, the xTU-C (or the xTU-R) stops transmitting data(e.g., transmits silence) and also exits to the selected operating mode.

[0182]FIG. 6 displays the timing for deactivating a session by eitherthe xTU-R or the xTU-C using half duplex procedures. The procedure issimilar to that described above for the full duplex procedure.Specifically, the xTU-R (or the xTU-C) sends an ACK(1) message. When thexTU-R (or the xTU-C) receives the ACK(1) message, the xTU-R (or thexTU-C) stops transmitting data (e.g., transmits silence), sends a singleGALF octet (hex “81”), and exits to the selected operating mode. Whenthe xTU-C (or the xTU-R) detects the period of silence, the xTU-C (orthe xTU-R) stops transmitting data (e.g., transmits silence) and alsoexits to the selected operating mode.

[0183] After the handshake session has been initiated, and before it isterminated, one or more transactions are used to exchange data betweenthe xTU-C and the xTU-R. Each transaction consists of one or moremessages which contain data and/or requests, and then concludes with anacknowledgment message (or a negative-acknowledgment message). The dataincludes, but is not limited to, for example: equipment capabilities,channel capabilities, available modes of operation, user requests,application requests, and service requests. Requests may include, butare not limited to, for example: requested mode of operation, requesteddata rates, and requested protocol. The unit responding to a messageindicates an acceptance (with an acknowledgment message), a rejection(with a negative-acknowledgment message), or a desire to initiate adifferent type of message with a request message. Depending on theresponse, a unit may initiate another transaction or terminate thehandshake session. An acknowledgment to a mode selection message willcause the handshake session to be terminated, and the communication modeselected in the mode selection message to be initiated, using knowntechniques.

[0184] During the message transmission, several categories ofinformation are transmitted. The categories include, but are not limitedto, for example: Identification of Service Parameters and ChannelCapabilities; Standard Information of Modulations and Protocols; andNon-standard information, which is proprietary to the implementation ormanufacturer. The information is specific to communication methods, aswell as generically described information. Analysis of the informationby each terminal enables selection of the communication mode andparameters for an optimized communication.

[0185] Examples of Identification information include, but are notlimited to, for example: message type; vendor identification; amount andtype of bandwidth; splitter information; spectrum usable frequencies;and number of data channels.

[0186] Examples of Standard Information include, but are not limited tofor example: types of xDSL standards supported, regional considerations,and xDSL modulation parameters; error correction protocol information;data compression protocol information; and other protocol information.The methods for generating and analyzing the information content is wellknown by those skilled in the art, and thus, is not discussed herein.

[0187] The information content of the messages must be encoded in aconsistent, scalable, and extensible manner so as to promoteinteroperability among equipment and compatibility with future equipmentand services. The prior art (e.g., V.8, V.8bis) provides generalexamples of means to frame and format handshaking data. Handshaking forxDSL modems also require the transmission of new data types, such asvariables and multiple resolution parameters. Examples of encodingmechanism are given below. Specific names and encodings of parametersare dependent on the particular high speed communication system beingused.

[0188] Table 1 illustrates how to encode a small integer variable: TABLE1 Number of segments octet Segments NPar(3)s 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Unspecifiedby terminal x x 0 0 0 0 0 0 # segments (bits 6-1) x x x x x x x xReserved for allocation x x 1 1 1 1 1 1 by the ITU-T

[0189] Table 2 illustrates how to encode a range larger than the numberof bits: TABLE 2 Duration octet Data rate NPar(3)s 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1Duration (bits 6-1 × 5 ms) x x x x x x x x Reserved x x 1 1 1 1 1 1

[0190] Table 3 illustrates how to encode a parameter withmulti-resolutions. Bit 6 is used to indicate the multiplying factor forbits 1 through 5. Additionally, a special code is used to indicate adata rate that is not a multiple of 32 nor 64 kbit/sec: TABLE 3 Trainingparameters - Octet 2 - NPar(3) coding Data rate NPar(3)s 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1Unspecified by terminal x x 0 0 0 0 0 0 Data rate (bits 5-1 × 32 kbit/s)x x 0 x x x x x Data rate (bits 5-1 × 64 kbit/s + x x 1 x x x x x 1024kbit/s) Data rate 1544 kbit/s x x 1 1 1 1 1 0 Reserved x x 1 1 1 1 1 1

[0191] As discussed above, the handshaking procedures must be capable ofsupporting a wide range of equipment types, including equipment designedand deployed before the present invention, such as, but not limited to,for example, equipment based on ANSI T1.413 or ITU-T V.34. In additionto interoperating with full duplex and half duplex equipment, theinstant invention also implements procedures to recognize and functionwith “legacy” equipment. Legacy equipment can be implicitedly activatedby manipulating, for example, a specific escape sequence. With implicitactivation, a device supporting the invention will monitor for legacyactivation signals, and will transmit legacy activation signals if thereare no responses to the handshaking activation signals. In addition tolegacy xDSL equipment, a terminal may communicate with voicebandequipment by supporting voiceband standards, indicating the availabilitythorough the information fields, and then escaping to voiceband standardactivation signaling methods.

[0192] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided forthe purpose of explanation, and are in no way to be construed aslimiting the present invention. While the present invention has beendescribed with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understoodthat the words which have been used herein are words of description andillustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made,within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention in its aspects. Although the present invention has beendescribed herein with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as arewithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for performing a startup session to establish acommunication session between a remote communication system and acentral communication system, comprising: initiating a start-upprocedure by one of the remote communication system and the centralcommunication system; having the remote communication system selectingone of a full-duplex operating mode and a half-duplex operating mode inresponse to a request by the central communication system; and havingthe remote communication system and the central communication systemexchange data representing a capability of at least one communicationstandard usable by each communication system to select a mutuallycompatible communication standard so that said remote communicationsystem can initiate a data transmission mode of said communicationsession using said acknowledged one of the full duplex operating modeand the half duplex operating mode.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first communication system and the second communication system eachsupport an xDSL communication session.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereininitiating a start-up procedure comprises initiating a start-upprocedure for a high speed xDSL communication session.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising establishing a low-speed communicationsession if a high-speed communication cannot be established.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein establishing the low-speed communicationsession comprises establishing an analog communication session.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein initiating the start-up procedure by one ofthe remote communication system and the central communication systemcomprises having one of the remote communication system and the centralcommunication system transmit a signal from at least one predeterminedset of signal families.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprisingreversing a phase of the transmitted signal at predetermined timeintervals.
 8. A method for a remote communication system to initiate astartup session to establish one of a full duplex communication and ahalf duplex communication between a remote communication system and acentral communication system, comprising: initiating a startup procedureby transmitting a R-TONES-REQ signal; issuing a request for thecommunication session to be established in one of the full duplexoperating mode and the half duplex operating mode, the request beingissued by the central communication system using a C-TONES signal; andestablishing a data transmission mode of the communication session sothat the remote communication system uses one of the full duplexoperating mode and the half duplex operating mode in accordance with oneof an R-TONE signal and an R-FLAG signal.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the first communication system and the second communicationsystem each support an xDSL communication session.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein initiating a start-up procedure comprises initiating astart-up procedure for a high speed xDSL communication session.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising establishing a low-speedcommunication session if a high-speed communication cannot beestablished.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the low-speedcommunication session comprises a communication session occupying anapproximate 4 kHz bandwidth.
 13. The method of claim 8, whereininitiating the communication session comprises having one of the remotecommunication system and the central communication system transmit asignal from at least one predetermined set of signal families.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising reversing a phase of thetransmitted signal at predetermined time intervals.
 15. A method for acentral communication system to initiate a startup session to establishone of a full duplex communication and a half duplex communicationbetween a remote communication system and a central communicationsystem, comprising: having the central communication system issue aC-TONE signal to initiate a startup procedure and request thecommunication session to be established in one of the full duplexoperating mode and the half duplex operating mode; and establishing adata transmission mode of the communication session so that the remotecommunication system uses one of the full duplex operating mode and thehalf duplex operating mode in accordance with one of an R-TONE signaland an R-FLAG signal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the firstcommunication system and the second communication system each support anxDSL communication session.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereininitiating a start-up procedure comprises initiating a start-upprocedure for a high speed xDSL communication session.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising establishing a low-speed communicationsession if a high-speed communication cannot be established.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the low-speed communication sessioncomprises a communication session occupying an approximate 4 kHzbandwidth.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein initiating thecommunication session comprises having one of the remote communicationsystem and the central communication system transmit a signal from atleast one predetermined set of signal families.
 21. A method forperforming a startup session of a high speed communication sessioninitiated by a remote communication system to determine whether acentral communication system supports only one of a full-duplexoperating mode and a half duplex operating mode, comprising: having theremote communication system transmit an R-FLAG signal to a centralcommunication system, the remote communication system supporting a halfduplex operating mode; having the remote communication system detectwhether a period of silence exists within a predetermined period of timeafter beginning to transmit the R-FLAG signal; having the remotecommunication system continue to transmit the R-FLAG signal for acertain time period when the period of silence is detected to exist, sothat a high speed half-duplex mode communication session is established.22. The method of claim 21, wherein the remote communication system andthe central communication system each support a high speed xDSLcommunication session.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein having theremote communication system transmit the first predetermined signalcomprises transmitting the first predetermined signal from at least onesignal family.
 24. A method for performing a startup session of a highspeed communication session initiated by a remote communication systemto determine whether a central communication system supports only one ofa full-duplex operating mode and a half duplex operating mode,comprising: having the remote communication system transmit an R-FLAGsignal to the central communication system, the remote communicationsystem supporting only the half duplex operating mode; having the remotecommunication system conclude that a high speed half duplex operatingmode cannot be established between the remote communication system andthe central communication system when no period of silence is detectedwithin a predetermined period of time after beginning to transmit theR-FLAG signal.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprisingestablishing a low-speed communication session if the high-speed halfduplex operating mode cannot be established.
 26. A method for performinga startup session of a high speed communication initiated by a remotecommunication system to determine whether a central communication systemsupports only one of a full-duplex operating mode and a half duplexoperating mode, comprising: having the remote communication systemtransmit an R-TONE signal to the central communication system, theremote communication system supporting only the full duplex operatingmode; having the remote communication system conclude that a high speedfull duplex operating mode cannot be established between the remotecommunication system and the central communication system when a C-GALFsignal is not detected within a predetermined period of time afterbeginning to transmit the R-TONE signal.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein the predetermined period of time is less than approximately 500ms.
 28. The method of claim 26, further comprising having the remotecommunication system transmit a termination signal to complete thestartup session when the high speed full duplex operating mode cannot beestablished.
 29. A method for performing a startup session of a highspeed communication session initiated by a central communication systemto determine whether a remote communication system supports only one ofa full-duplex operating mode and a half duplex operating mode,comprising: having the central communication system transmit a C-TONEsignal to a remote communication system, the central communicationsystem supporting a half duplex operating mode; having the centralcommunication system detect whether an R-FLAG signal is received withina predetermined period of time after transmitting the C-TONE signal;having the central communication system stop transmitting the C-TONEsignal when the R-FLAG signal is detected to have been received, so thata high speed half-duplex mode communication session is established. 30.A method for performing a startup session of a high speed communicationinitiated by a central communication system to determine whether aremote communication system supports a full-duplex operating mode,comprising: having the central communication system transmit a C-TONEsignal to the remote communication system, the central communicationsystem supporting only the full duplex operating mode; having thecentral communication system conclude that a high speed full duplexoperating mode cannot be established between the remote communicationsystem and the central communication system when an R-TONE signal is notdetected after the central communication system begins transmitting theC-TONE signal.
 31. A method for performing a startup session of a highspeed communication session initiated by a central communication systemto determine whether a remote communication system supports a halfduplex operating mode, comprising: having the central communicationsystem transmit a C-TONE signal to the remote communication system, thecentral communication system supporting only the half duplex operatingmode; having the central communication system conclude that a high speedhalf duplex operating mode cannot be established between the remotecommunication system and the central communication system when an R-FLAGsignal is not detected after the central communication system beginstransmitting the C-TONE signal.
 32. The method of claim 31, furthercomprising establishing a low-speed communication session if the highspeed full duplex operating mode cannot be established.
 33. The methodof claim 31, further comprising having the first communication systemtransmit a termination signal to complete the startup session when thehigh speed full duplex operating mode cannot be established.